The Sheriff’s Office serves all the citizens of Butte County by providing a mix of public safety and public service functions. The Sheriff’s Office provides around-the-clock law enforcement service to every region of the county. In addition to 24 hour policing, we offer Butte County citizens a full range of services including, coroner services, civil services, court security and corrections.

Butte County
Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputies and detectives have been actively
investigating a burglary at Bamford Parts and Equipment located at 4288 Highway
70 in Oroville. The burglary occurred January 11, 2017, when more than $15,000
worth of property was stolen from the business. On January 16, 2017, BCSO
deputies were dispatched to a property on the 6600 block of Pentz Road in
Paradise after a vehicle matching the description of the vehicle involved in
the burglary was seen in the area. Upon arrival, deputies contacted Jason Fowles,
age 40, who is from Sacramento and currently on felony probation for grand
theft. Deputies searched the property and located a significant amount of
stolen property, including the property taken during the burglary of Bamford
Parts and Equipment.

Four
truckloads of stolen property, including three stolen firearms, were recovered
that are believed to be linked to several burglaries in Butte County and the
Sacramento area. Detectives are currently working to determine the owners of
all the stolen property, and additional searches will be conducted that are
believed to be linked to burglaries involving Fowles. Fowles was arrested on
several charges including violation of probation, burglary, being in possession
of stolen property, and grand theft. He is currently in the Butte County Jail
with bail set at $207,000.

January 13, 2017
Oroville, Ca—At approximately 5:00 AM on January 12, 2017, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) received a call from a man reporting his father, Marc Chiasson Sr., 65, who had serious physical and mental health issues, had stopped taking his medication and was making statements about wanting to die. BCSO Deputies Vong Vang and Randall Cooper responded to Chiasson’s residence on Cox Lane, in Oroville to conduct a welfare check.

Upon arrival, deputies spoke to the reporting party and determined the elder Chiasson was inside the residence. The reporting party advised that prior to the deputies’ arrival Chiasson had been attempting to get a shotgun from a locked safe and was making statements indicating he was intent upon committing suicide. Chiasson became irate when deputies entered the residence, stating he didn’t need assistance. He was cursing at the deputies and demanding they leave. Deputies determined Chiasson was in need of a psychological evaluation and due to his agitated state the use of handcuffs would be appropriate for the transport to the hospital.

As the deputies were applying the handcuffs, Chiasson stiffened his arms and struggled briefly to prevent the deputies from handcuffing him. The deputies were quickly able to gain control of Chiasson, and apply the handcuffs by utilizing a wrist lock control hold. No other physical force was used to take Chiasson into custody. Deputies began to walk Chiasson out of the residence; however, as he was walking he began to drag his feet and appeared to be having difficulty walking. Deputies put Chiasson in the back seat of a patrol car, where he then laid down and became unresponsive. Concerned for Chiasson’s well-being, deputies checked his vital signs and determined he had a pulse and was still breathing, but was unresponsive. Deputies radioed dispatch and requested immediate response from fire/medical personnel. As the deputies continued to monitor Chiasson, they noted he had no pulse and his eyes would not react to light. Deputies immediately removed him from the patrol car, removed the handcuffs, and began CPR. Deputies performed CPR for 12 minutes. When fire and medical personnel arrived on scene the life-saving efforts continued. Ultimately, it was determined Chiasson could not be revived and he was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Due to the fact that this death occurred immediately after Chiasson was taken into custody, BCSO contacted the Butte County District Attorney’s Office and requested they conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances of the incident. The investigation included interviews with responding deputies, as well as family members who were present. Investigators also reviewed body camera footage recording the life-saving efforts undertaken by the deputies. All information obtained from those sources is consistent with details as described above, and there is nothing to suggest that deputies did anything to contribute to Chiasson’s death.

The investigation further revealed that Chiasson had a number of medical issues, which will be examined as part of a scheduled autopsy. The autopsy is being conducted by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office. The completion of the investigation is pending the final results of the autopsy and the examination of Chiasson’s medical history. Further status updates about the investigation will be released by the Butte County District Attorney’s Office.

Sheriff Honea said, “This is an unfortunate incident for everyone involved. My heart goes out to the family of Mr. Chiasson for their loss, and to my deputies who went to extraordinary lengths to save Mr. Chiasson’s life, but still experienced his d

January 5, 2017
BUTTE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION INTO FORMER EMPLOYEE

Oroville, Ca--Today, the Butte County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) announced the January 1, 2017 arrest of Kathleen Acosta, 48, Oroville, a former employee of the Sheriff's Office, for the theft and possession of items stolen from the Sheriff's evidence-property building. It is alleged Acosta stole the items, which included prescription drugs and firearms, while she was employed as an evidence technician working in the building.

Acosta's January 1, 2017 arrest resulted from an investigation which was launched after an Oroville Police officer stopped a vehicle Acosta was driving after a domestic dispute. As a result of that stop a gun, a small quantity of methamphetamine and prescription drugs in sheriff’s office evidence packaging where found in the car. The officer notified the sheriff’s office of the discovery. BCSO detectives then took over the investigation and searched Acosta's residence and two storage units rented by Acosta. The searches turned up additional items of property stolen from the sheriff’s evidence-property building, which included more prescription drugs and 19 firearms which had been slated for destruction or disposal. To date, the investigation has revealed the items recovered are not items of evidence in pending criminal cases. The investigation also revealed documents which track the disposition of contraband and property to be destroyed or disposed of in accordance with the law that are believed to have been falsified by Acosta.

Acosta's employment at the Sheriff's Office ended in May 2016 when she resigned. Acosta's resignation was tendered after she was advised she was facing termination for mishandling property stored in the evidence-property building, in violation of established procedures, and then attempting to conceal the misconduct from a newly assigned supervisor to the unit. At the time, the matter was handled as a work performance issue as there was insufficient evidence to believe any property had been stolen.

During the investigation into Acosta’s work related misconduct, an independent audit and review of property handling procedures was commissioned by the Sheriff's Office. The audit did not reveal any theft of the items by Acosta, likely due to what is believed to be Acosta's falsification of documents showing the property had been properly disposed of. However, some additional procedures and safeguards were recommended and the need for an updated evidence-property facility was confirmed by the audit. The procedures and safeguards have or are being implemented and plans to construct an updated evidence-property facility are moving forward.
Following her arrest, Acosta was booked into the Butte County Jail on allegations of grand theft, embezzlement and the unlawful possession of prescription drugs. On January 4, 2017 Acosta posted bail and was released with an appearance date of January 27, 2017 at 8:30 AM. The investigation continues, and the case has been referred to the Butte County District Attorney for prosecution. Additional charges stemming from the falsification of official documents are being requested.

Acosta previously served as a sheriff's clerk and correctional officer for 8 years before becoming an evidence technician July 2014. Nothing in her prior work history gave Sheriff's officials reason to believe Acosta was not suited to hold a position requiring a high degree of trust. Sheriff Honea said, "I am angered by the illegal conduct of this now, former employee and disheartened to think her actions will reflect negatively upon the rest of the Sheriff's Office employees who do great work on a daily basis.&quo

BUTTE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE SEARCH AND RESCUE UNIT RESCUES TWO IN BUTTE MEADOWS

Oroville, Ca—On December 30th, at approximately 9:45 a.m., Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) received a call from a woman reporting her son and his fiancée had been trapped in the snow in Butte Meadows since approximately 5:00 p.m. on December 29th. The reporting party advised that she had been in contact with her son, via text message, and was able to provide detailed information regarding their location.

BCSO Search and Rescue unit responded to the Butte Meadows area with their Argo Snow Vehicle, and located the trapped individuals at 12:40 p.m. BCSO personnel transported the individuals to the Jonesville Snowmobile Park, where they were reunited with family members at approximately 2:00 p.m.
Thankfully, the individuals in this incident were well prepared for the snow, and were able to survive without any injuries. The individuals had also advised family members where they were going and when they planned to return. Fortunately, there was cell reception within walking distance from where the individuals became stuck, and contact was made with family members. We are thankful for the positive outcome of this incident.

Please remember to be prepared anytime you plan to visit the snow. Bring extra clothing, blankets, food and water. Always let someone know where you plan to go and when you plan to return.

BUTTE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE SWAT TEAM RESPONDS TO OROVILLE STANDOFF
Oroville Ca,-- On Thursday December 29th, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) SWAT Team was requested to assist Oroville Police Department (OPD) after negotiations between OPD and suspect, Ronnie Johnson, were unsuccessful.
Johnson, 51 of Oroville, was wanted for domestic violence, kidnapping and false imprisonment charges. BCSO SWAT team responded to the 100 block of Fairhill Drive in Oroville, where Johnson was reported to be residing inside a motorhome and was refusing to come out. BCSO SWAT Team introduced gas into the motorhome in an effort to get Johnson to exit. During that time, Johnson put the motorhome into reverse and backed into an OPD vehicle, thankfully no injuries were reported. BCSO SWAT Team members were able to gain entry into the motorhome and detained Johnson, along with three other individuals.
This was a joint effort between BCSO and OPD in the successful arrest of the suspect.